HJCs mid-priced fibreglass jack-of-all-trades full face helmet

HJC have made a name for themselves in producing great value, great performing helmets. And the HJC FG-ST sits slap bang in the middle of their helmet range, offering lots of the kind of features you need in a road bike helmet but in a competitively priced fibreglass package.

On paper, it’s not the lightest and it’s certainly not the sportiest, more one of those jack-of-all-trades helmets that try to offer the best of all worlds. But that’s quite an ask in a section of the helmet market that massively competitive.

So, let’s check out what features the FG-ST offers, what owners think of them and whether it deserves to take a share of your hard-earned dosh.

Overall/Summary

HJC have gone and done it again. If you’re able to spend £200ish on your next helmet and want something with all the features, bells and whistles you could ask for in a helmet that offers a maximum safety rating, then you should really check out an HJC FG-ST.

It’s well built too and comes with a Pinlock Max Vision in the box (shouldn’t all helmets for those cold and rainy days?). OK it’s not the lightest but owners don’t seem to care.

If you’re in the market for a fibreglass full face helmet, then the HJC FG-ST is well worth taking a look. Or for alternatives we’d recommend, skip to the bottom of the page.

Looking to buy an HJC?

We recommend either Sportsbikeshop (UK) or MotoIn (Ger) for good prices and outstanding service, or FC-Moto (Ger) for the best range (and competitive prices). Please click any link to see their full range and latest prices (though with MotoIn and FC-Moto you'll then have to use site search to quickly find the helmet). See links further down for more details.

Safety

The HJC FG-ST is made in two shell sizes – which is OK for looks and safety but not the best, especially if you’re at the extreme ends of the fitment sizes (read here why).

Having said that, it has been tested by the SHARP helmet testing labs where it scored top marks – that’s a five star rating – putting it into a very select group of just 56 helmets ever that’ve scored maximum marks (and most of those are no longer available).

So if you’re looking for a new helmet and safety is your top priority, then you probably ought to check out the HJC FG-ST (or any one of the other SHARP 5 star helmets we’ve reviewed).

In addition to an excellent overall safety rating, it has a number of other features that make for a safer helmet:

There’s a nice large visor with visor lock in the middle – a large visor aperture helps with life-savers when you’re checking for other vehicles and the visor lock could be useful in an accident in stopping rocks and muck entering the visor.

The visor also comes with a Pinlock Max Vision anti fog insert (see visor section below) which is obviously useful for making sure you can see out of the visor when it’s cold and rainy.

Rear view of the FG ST Void

There’s also a double-d ring fastener – they’re great for making you tighten the strap just right with every trip – though they can be a bit fiddly until you’re used to them.

So, as far as safety goes, the HJC FG-ST seems to be pretty damn good and ticks lots of boxes – so gets our maximum rating.

Helmet Noise

Noise levels are always a tricky one to evaluate as it’s soooo subjective. When we research some helmets, there’s so many wildly conflicting opinions, we’ve simply gotta plump for an average rating.

That’s less of the case with the HJC FG-ST as most owners we came across rated it as pretty good – or at least better than their previous helmets. A couple said it has decent noise insulation. Another said it was a bit loud but removing his screen (which directed the air onto his helmet) quietened things down loads!

All things considered, owners seem to regard the HJC FG-ST as a reasonably quiet helmet.

It’s worth saying though that it’s a relative concept and that zamming through the air at 80mph is always going to cause some noise. So you’re always best sticking in a pair of decent ear plugs to properly quieten things down – then you’ll probably be more or less OK with any helmet you buy.

Top vents and rear exhaust visible on this FG-ST Besty

Ventilation

Ventilation on the HJC FG-ST is provided by a double chin vent operated by a single up/down switch and double crown vents with switches behind the vent.

It has what HJC call ACS or Advanced Channeling Ventilation System (shouldn’t that be ACVS??) – which in reality means it’s got the same ventilation system you’ll find in most helmets these days. Namely, channels are moulded into the shock absorbing polystyrene lining allowing air to enter the helmet via the vents in the shell and be directed around the scalp via the channels.

The air then gets warm and sweaty and is then directed towards the three rear exhaust vents.

So does it work?

Well, word is that it’s pretty good. One owner said it’s great, even in the height of summer, and a few more said they work well giving a decent amount of air onto the head – though the MCN reviewer reckoned they could be more effective.

Another said ventilation was OK but he found the helmet seals so well – especially with the breath guard and chin curtian fitted – that his Pinlock fogged up in the rain and the chin vent struggled to cope!

Visor

The HJC FG-ST has a nice large visor aperture. That’s great for improved visibility both on the road and on the track.

So, that means the visor itself has to be nice and big – and if it has a Pinlock, as the FG ST does, then that’s gonna have to be nice and big too. Thankfully, the HJC FG-ST comes with a Pinlock-ready visor and Pinlock Max Vision in the box. That’s the large-size Pinlock anti fog insert that sits in a recess in the back of the visor and covers pretty well all the visible area of the visor.

Pinlocks can fog up in extreme circumstances – but for most day-to-day riding, they should keep your visor nice and fog free.

The visor itself has as locking mechanism front and centre – so close the visor and it’ll auto-lock. That can be seen as a useful safety feature – especially if you’re intending taking your helmet to the track – and usually they only need you to slightly modify your usual visor-opening technique to get the hang of it. But have a go and get used to it before you go for a ride – some folks can find them a little tricky to get used to.

Crono orange version (comes in yellow, red & white too)

A final thing to say about the main visor is that it’s got HJCs Rapid Fire quick release visor system. They’re great and make removing/replacing the visor a piece of cake.

Sun Visor

Of course, the HJC FG-ST also has a drop down sun visor. If you’ve not had a helmet with a sun visor on before, we recommend trying one. They’re really useful to have on board and even if you only use it when you forget your shades (or replacement tinted visor) it can be a godsend to have one there when you need it.

Even if you decide you don’t like a sun visor, it really wouldn’t get in the way with the HJC FG-ST because the slider to operate it is tucked away to the left of the visor pivot so you don’t even notice it’s there.

The sun visor on the HJC FG-ST is an up-or-down type though, so if you like to fiddle about with a sun visor and have it at an intermediate position, you might want to look elsewhere (like our helmets with a sun visor section!)

Rear spoiler and exhaust vents on the HJC FG-ST Cinnati

Comfort & Sizing

The HJC FG-ST is available in sizes XS-XXL. As with many helmets, you need to get a nice secure fitting when new (see our fitting guide here) and things can loosen off slightly as you wear it more.

None more so than with HJCs from the reports we read. So make sure it feels nice and tightish at first and the slight bit of give over time should mean you get a good fit.

Owners reckon the HJC FG-ST is a comfortable place to be – though if you’re endowned with a larger than average sized hooter it’s worth being aware that a couple of owners said theirs touches the inside of the visor.

Other than that, HJC have made a good quality interior using their Silvercool material. That’s a liner laced with slivers of silver thead which gives it antibacterial properties and so keeps your lining pong-free for longer. It’s also moisture wicking and removable/washable.

And if you find the sizing not quite right, there’s a range of different sized cheek pads available so you can fine tune the internals to your liking (though they’re extra).

Top view of the shy & retiring FG-ST Punisher

Looks & Graphics

It’s a pretty cool looking helmet and it comes in a range of classy finishes.

There’s the Rubbertone which is effectively the matt black version but with a soft touch finish to it. There’s the metal, which is the white or black gloss versions – and then there’s an ‘I want to scare kids’ Punisher version that’s matt black with a skull on the sides and top.

At the time of typing there’s another five graphics with different colour variations in most – that’s the Crucial, Crono, Cinnati, Void and Besty graphics (conveniently enough, I think I like the Besty bestest – that’s the top image!). We’ve dotted them all up and down this page – but please visit our recommended retailer links below to see the latest prices and graphics. Ta.

Best place to buy an HJC crash helmet?

If you want piece of mind when you buy, we recommend you buy from Sportsbikeshop. They're based in the UK, have competitive prices and offer outstanding service (9.8/10 on Trustpilot, 4.5/5 on Facebook) including 365 day refunds and free UK delivery.

FC-Motowidely offer the best range in Europe and score a decent (8.4/10 on Trustpilot) - they're based in Germany (so delivery charges apply see here for details). If you want decent prices and a good range to choose from, we recommend you buy from here.

Finally, take a look at Motoin. They're another German retailer with great feedback (4.9 out of 5 on Idealo and 4.86 on eTrustedshops at the time of writing) though, again, there's a delivery charge so factor that in (see here for details).

Please click any picture below to visit their helmets pages. And if you buy from any, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you - a massive THANKS! (it's how we finance the site). Click here for more info on our recommended retailers.

Click to visit SportsbikeshopClick for FC Moto (then use site search)Click to visit HJC at Motoin (then use site search)

HJC FG-ST Video

We simply couldn’t find an English language version of an HJC FG-ST video on YouTube so we’ve had to plump for an Italian version. Just turn the sound down, put on some tunes and this 2m video gives you a quick look around the FG-ST.

Weight – it weighs around 1.6Kg in size L which is heavier than the average full face helmet (though some owners report it doesn’t feel heavy). It also has a glasses groove in the lining meaning it should be a bit easier to put glasses on and their stems shouldn’t press into the side of your head.

Build quality is generally very good with HJC and a few owners said the same for the FG-ST. And because it’s been designed in a wind tunnel, the aero seems effective too with owners reporting it’s particularly stable with little buffeting.

Final two things – there’s a chin curtain and breath guard included in the box, and it comes with a one year warranty (shame – some come with 5 year warranties these days).

There’s also the 5 star rated AGV GT Veloce that’s a composite fibre sports-oriented helmet with a big visor aperture. Prices start about where the FG-ST leaves off though so you’ll have to dig a bit deeper for that one.

Or how about an X-Lite X-702 GT – that’s another SHARP 5 star composite helmet that’s light and excels in pretty well everything (noise, comfort and ventilation). Again, it’s a tad pricier than the HJC though.

Finally, if you’d rather spend less than the HJC but still want the excellent safety rating, check out an MT Revenge – that’s a 5 star safety rated lid that’s light and retails for half the price (polycarb version) or still slightly less than the FG-ST for the full carbon version.

Star Ratings

REVIEW OVERVIEW

Safety

Comfort

Noise

Features

Value

SUMMARY

The HJC FG-ST is a great crash helmet. Not only is it comfortable, well built and with a great pair of visors (main and sun visor), it also comes with a free Pinlock Max Vision insert and has a SHARP five star safety rating. Phew! It's a great package at a competitive price - and we recommend you check one out if you're after a new all-rounder motorcycle helmet!